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Effect of Dung Beetle Activities on the Growth and Yield of Wheat Plants

S. M. H. Kabir
Department of Zoology. University of Dhaka. Dhaka, Bangladesh

A. Jabbar Howlader
Department of Zoology. University of Dhaka. Dhaka Bangladesh.

Jahanara Begum
Department of Zoology. University of Dhaka. Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Pot culture experiments were carried out to observe the effect of dung beetle (sub-families - Coprinae and Aphodinae) activities on the growth and yield of wheat plants. Fresh cow dung was applied either as pad on the soil surface or mixed with the soil mechanically. When beetles and dung were used together it markedly increased the plants growth compared to treatments where beetles were absent. The soil analysis showed that the presence of beetles increased the quantities of nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus and potassium.

Keywords: Dung beetle, Growth, Yield, Wheat,

Location: Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Wheat, Insects

Objectives:

To determine the effect of dung beetle activities on the growth and yield of wheat plants.

Methodology:

The experiments were carried out in the Zoological garden of the Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka. Thirty earthen pots (1178 sq. cm. surface area) were filled in with ordinary field soil having a moisture content of about 17.5%. In each pot 6 kg of soil was used. Prior to use, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus contents of the soil were determined to assess the fertilizer requirements. The pots were arranged in a randomized block design with 6 treatments, each having 5 replications. The treatments were as follows: I) Soil+dung+beetles II) Soil+ dung (mixed together) Ill) Soil + dung (dung applied on the surface only) IV) Soil + dung (dung removed after 9 days) V) Soil + fertilizer VI) Soil only All the experiments were started simultaneously. In treatments I-IV, 400 gm of fresh cow dung was used in each pot in the form of a cake on he surface of the soil except the treatment II, where the dung was mixed with the soil. In treatment V, NPK fertilizer was mixed with the soil in the approximate ratio of 1: 2 : 1 after the soil analysis and accordingly on the basis of weight of the soil 0.132 gm urea, 0.264 gm TSP and 0.120 gm KCL were used. Treatment VI contained only soil. Ten pairs of Onthophagus sp, and 10 pairs of Aphodius sp were released in each of the replicates of treatment I and confined them to the respective pots by means of fine nettings. Nets were also used in treatments III and IV, so that no beetle could enter into these from outside. After 9 days, the nets were removed from the treatments I. III and IV and the dung pad was removed from treatment IV. Nine days time was thought to be adequate for the beetles to carry dung into the soil. Ten wheat seeds were then sown. After 12 days when the seedlings were about 10 cm in length they were thinned and only 3 plants were selected in each pot. The height of the plants of all the pots was recorded once in a week and the number of leaves was recorded for 5 weeks. Subsequent watering was done to maintain the soil moisture. After harvest and sundry, the panicle length, number of grains per panicle, number of productive tillers, weight of 5 stems and weight of 100 kernels from each treatment were recorded. To compare the effect of dung beetles, dung and fertilizer on the soil, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus and potassium contents as well as pH of the soil were determined taking the soil samples from treatments I,III, and V. The data obtained from different treatments were analyzed by the Analysis of Variance procedure.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture. Vol: 10 (No-1), pp: 49-55, 1985

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It therefore, may be ascertained that the dung beetles played significant role in the growth and yield of the wheat plants. It therefore, may be concluded that the dung beetles play a significant role in the growth and yield of wheat plants and the dung dropped by the grazing animals is of little nutritional value to plants unless it is incorporated in someway into the soil.

Knowledge Management: Journal